In the halls of Tamaroa Grade School, something quietly powerful is on the horizon. It’s not a new building or a flashy program—it’s a movement of gratitude, one that’s about to reshape the way students and staff connect with each other.

It’s called GiveThx, and thanks to Superintendent Erica Hicks and para professionals Bobbie Huntley and Cassie Brown, it’s soon to be part of the daily rhythm of school life. The idea is simple: participants use a digital platform to send messages of thanks, recognizing acts of kindness, helpfulness, or encouragement. The result? A stronger, more connected school community.

The staff has already taken GiveThx for a test run, sending notes of appreciation to one another. Even in those early trials, the impact was clear. “You realize how much a simple thank-you can mean,” Erica said. “When you see it in writing, it stays with you.”

Bobbie said she enjoyed seeing how the smallest gestures—like covering a duty, offering help on a project, or just sharing a kind word—were noticed and appreciated. “It made me think about how often we don’t say those things out loud,” she said. “This gives us a way to make sure we do.”

Cassie agreed, noting that the pilot not only boosted morale, but also opened up a different kind of conversation among staff. “You start looking for the good,” she said. “And the more you look for it, the more you find it.”

That’s exactly what Erica hopes will happen when GiveThx launches with students. The platform will allow them to choose a classmate, type a short message of appreciation, and send it instantly. Teachers and staff can encourage them to think beyond the obvious—recognizing not just big achievements, but small, everyday kindnesses.

We’re meeting in early August, and while no student messages have been sent yet, the team can already imagine the smiles, the new connections, and the quiet confidence that comes from feeling seen. “It’s going to be really special to watch that unfold,” Erica said.

The gratitude won’t just flow among students, either. Erica envisions a school where students, teachers, and staff are all part of the same ongoing conversation—one where people take time to notice and thank each other. “We’re building habits that go beyond these walls,” she said. “If they learn how to express gratitude here, they can carry that into every part of their lives.”

For a small school like Tamaroa, where relationships are already close-knit, GiveThx offers a way to deepen those bonds. It’s not about adding something extra to an already busy day; it’s about enriching the moments that are already happening.

Bobbie sees it as an opportunity to highlight the kindness that might otherwise go unspoken. Cassie believes it will help students understand the power they have to positively impact someone else’s day with just a few words. Erica hopes it will be something that sticks for a lifetime.

In a world that can often feel rushed and distracted, Tamaroa’s GiveThx initiative is slowing things down in the best way—helping people notice, acknowledge, and appreciate the good that’s right in front of them. It’s not just a program; it’s a reminder that kindness doesn’t have to be grand to be powerful.

For Erica, Bobbie, and Cassie, the hope is that these habits stick long after students leave the building. “We want them to carry this with them,” Erica said. “If they can learn at a young age how to express gratitude, they’ll be better friends, better family members, better community members. That’s the goal.”

And in Tamaroa, that’s more than just a nice idea—it’s a lived reality, one “thank you” at a time.